Natural Pain Relievers

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Pain is a part of everyday life, and it’s useful in that it can warn of us dangers and make us aware of symptoms of disease. However, when it becomes unbearable, it can significantly decrease your overall quality of life. From making it difficult to get up and go to work to less time spent with loved ones and more, you can quickly feel like you’re highly limited in what you can do.

You may be hesitant to start taking prescription drugs and for good reason. It’s estimated that approximately 100,000 Americans die every year from prescription drug use, and thousands of others become addicted. While this may seem discouraging, there is a light at the end of the tunnel. There are a number of natural pain relievers that could offer just what you’ve been looking for.

Willow Bark for Inflammation

Inflammation is the catalyst for most aches and pains, and there’s a natural element that has been used for centuries in its relief. Within willow bark is salicin, and this is the same chemical that’s found in aspirin. With this being said, keep in mind that willow bark can be dangerous for use in children, and you should speak with your doctor before the consideration of its use. However, if you get the all-clear, just a few of the conditions you can alleviate using this time-tested solution include:

Osteoarthritis

Headaches

Lower back pain

Tumeric

If the name tumeric sounds familiar, it’s likely because it’s as close as your kitchen. This is the spice that’s featured in some of your favorite Indian food, and it can be noted by its yellow color. While you very well may have appreciated this spice for its flavor, what you probably didn’t realize is that it contains a powerful antioxidant that fights off the free radicals that are responsible for the damage of cells and tissues in the body. Like willow bark, tumeric can also help alleviate pain associated with inflammation as well as:

Indigestion

Cancer

Stomachache

Posture Correctors

Thousands of people around the world suffer with lower back pain, and this can make even some of the most miniscule tasks seem gargantuan. Much of this is caused by the fact that we are living increasingly sedentary lifestyles. Sitting in front of a computer screen for eight hours per day can cause you to develop a tendency to slouch, and this can lead to a number of adverse effects from fatigue to the development of a hunchback over time.

While you can make efforts to correct your posture by focusing on the problem and trying to keep yours good, the fact remains that your focus will be directed in other areas as you make your way through the day. There is a solution on the market, and the investment in a posture corrector can help you naturally develop proper posture. These devices can be put on under your clothes without being detected, and they immediately go to work making your body assume proper posture without even trying. There are dozens of products on the market, so make sure you read plenty of reviews to best ensure you find the one that can offer you the right features.

Acupuncture

Many associate acupuncture with the thought of painful needles making you even more uncomfortable. However, what you probably didn’t know is that this pain relieving technique has been used by the Chinese since ancient times. It works by attempting to balance the natural energy pathways to allow for proper flow of qi.

While acupuncturists will typically place needles in association with the location of the pain, don’t be surprised if they go “poking around” in other areas as they may discover the pathways must be opened further away to provide relief where you need it. Aside from proving to reduce pain for things like headaches and osteoarthritis, it can even prove beneficial in relief in those suffering with chronic pain.

Ice and Heat, But Which to Use?

Most of us are aware that the application of ice and heat can prove successful in pain alleviation. However, which should you use and when? There are some things to consider as you decide. For starters, injuries are known to swell, and an ice pack placed directly on the impacted area can help reduce inflammation. However, once the inflammation has subsided, heat can then be useful in reducing the stiffness that often follows. Heat can also be used to decrease the perception of pain in those with arthritis.

Warm Bath

After a long day at work, it’s always nice to take the time to unwind. Whether that be watching a few hours of television or just hanging out with friends, we need this time to enjoy ourselves and make the most of life. There’s an activity you can take advantage of that can both help you relax as well as reduce pain. A nice soak in warm water has been reported to help you overcome a number of aches and pains including:

Muscle pain

Muscle spasms

Arthritis

If you only have a standing shower, you can utilize alternatives such as a hot tub at your local gym to take advantage of the same benefits. Furthermore, don’t limit your use of this technique to bedtime as a warm water soak can also make activities such as stretching before a workout more comfortable.

Massage Therapy

It’s estimated that an alarming $374 billion was spent in the United States alone on prescription drugs in 2014, and this marked a 13.1 percent increase over use in 2013. It’s obvious people are more than willing to make a financial investment in their overall health, well-being, and comfort. Rather than spending yours on drugs that can cause a number of adverse side effects, you can instead seek out a professional massage therapist who can use proven techniques to reduce your pain levels.

The exciting thing about massage therapy is that, aside from making you feel more relaxed, it can also train your body to decrease its perception of pain. There are a variety of approaches, and your massage therapist should provide a complete consultation to decide which method will work best for you. No matter which you choose, the end result will be a hands-on massage focused on your muscles, tendons, and ligaments that are likely tired and overworked.

Fish Oil

If you are prone to inflammation, fish oil is great for its anti-inflammatory properties. A study was conducted in patients with neck or back pain and they were instructed to ingest 1200 milligrams per day of the fish oil combined with eicosapentaenoic and decosahexanoic acid. 125 patients who reported back claimed that they were no longer taking their prescription painkillers after 75 days of taking fish oil.

Meditation

Meditation is said to be one of the most effective forms of stress reduction. It was developed in Eastern cultures and has a history documented of more than several thousand years. The huge thing with meditation is that it can help kill pain. There are a lot of people out there who avoid this practice because they think that they have to do it a certain way, but it’s not true.

Researchers gave 109 patients with chronic pain instructions for a mindfulness meditation program or put them on a wait list. They found that those who did the meditation reported more relief in pain and lower anxiety & depression than those who were on the waitlist. The best part is that you can meditate just about anywhere, as long as it is quiet and you remain undisturbed.

Arnica Oil

Arnica oil isn’t one of the most popular of the essential oils, but it something that should be kept in all medicine cabinets. This oil is used on the skin to help with inflammatory pain that comes with bruises, bug bites, and even flare-ups from arthritis. You can even use this oil to treat carpal tunnel. It has been said to relieve the pain so much that certain people didn’t need their carpal tunnel surgery.

Peppermint Oil

Another essential oil that works great is peppermint oil. This is perfect for relieving headaches and relaxing muscles. Not only that, but it has been said to help reduce or even get rid of pain associated with fibromyalgia and myofascial pain syndrome.

One of the more common uses for peppermint oil is for a natural headache reliever. Peppermint oil in unison with lavender reduces muscle tension and improves circulation, stopping headaches very quickly. If you have a headache, place a few drops of peppermint oil on your hands and rubbing them into your forehead, back of the neck, and temples.

Bone Broth

If you want to get real old school, go for the bone broth. Our ancestors weren’t big on wasting any part of their animals that they killed for food, so they made broth out of bones, skin, feet, marrow, tendons, and ligaments. This stock provided a good amount of proline, collagen, glutamine, and glycine, something that you don’t really see in today’s American diet.

Bone broth contains silicon, sulphur, phosphorus, magnesium, calcium, and other minerals that your body can easily absorb. There are also some natural things in there that are sold as pricey supplements in drug stores such as glucosamine and chondroitin. The main reason this acts as such a great painkiller is because it helps boned glide without friction thanks to its gelatin content. It’s sort of like an anti-aging serum for joints. Here’s a helpful recipe.

Stay Hydrated

It’s a no brainer that staying hydrated is good for your health and it keeps you alive, but did you know that is reduces pain? For those who suffer from back pain, keeping yourself hydrated can help the intervertebral discs remain healthy and it helps reduce stiffness. Not only that, but keeping a good amount of fluids in your body can help flush toxins out of your muscles and it helps your blood carry healing oxygen and nutrients throughout your body. It can also help reverse the painful side effect of many pain medications known as constipation.

Laugh It Out

Yes, you can laugh yourself to a healthy state and relieve pain while doing so. Laughing was shown to have a high impact in the increase of pain tolerance. It can also increase oxygen and circulation and raises your endorphins, which is your body's natural painkiller. There’s actually something called “Laughter yoga” which helps people enjoy laughter without actually needing a reason to.

Blue Lotus

The Blue Lotus is a natural painkiller that is used mostly for relieving muscle spasms, tinnitus, migraines, and nausea. It is said to be not as strong as codeine, but just as effective when it comes to relieving menstrual cramps, migraines, and other moderate pains. These flowers are also used to make martinis, wines, and teas and when combined with alcohol, can amplify the effectiveness of it (not recommended).

Cloves

While you may think of cloves as something used to spice up your food, they can be used as a medicine in capsule, powder, or oil form. This herb is used to treat nausea, colds, relieve pain associated with inflammation due to arthritis, toothaches, and headaches. One study also indicated that cloves could be used to treat fungal infections, but this needs to be researched more. The active ingredient in cloves is eugenol, which is something that you will find in some over-the-counter pain rubs. If you rub a small amount of clove oil on your gums, you can feel temporary relief from a toothache.

Cat’s Claw

This woody vine, known as the Cat’s Claw, is native to the Amazon Rainforest and in other places in South America. It is known for having anti-inflammatory agents that aid in blocking the production of prostaglandin, which leads to inflammation and pain in the body. It also eliminates free radicals that can cause cellular damage. This unique plant may be helpful in treatments for diabetes, cancer, viral infections, hemorrhoids, ulcers, allergies, arthritis, and more.

Valerian Root

This is probably something that you have heard of before. Valerian Root is also known as “natures tranquilizer”. It helps to relieve stress, anxiety, tension, insomnia, and irritability. It works by reducing nerve sensitivity, thus eliminating feelings of pain. You can drink it in tea for pain relief and body aches. It is most commonly used for sleep disorders and it can be combined with lemon balm, hops, and other herbs that may cause drowsiness. It can also be used to help with ADHD, CFS, mild tremors, and epilepsy.

Capsaicin

This topical remedy, taken from chili peppers, helps to reduce nerve, joint, and muscle pain by stopping Substance P from sending pain signals to the brain. Capsaicin can also help nervous system problems such as trigeminal neuralgia, diabetic neuropathy, cluster headaches, joint problems such as rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis, skin conditions like psoriasis, mouth sores from radiation or chemotherapy, and other pain relief. It generally comes in a cream and you can use it on your skin up to 4 times per day.

Magnesium

If you are a sufferer of migraines, muscle spasms, or fibromyalgia, a good dose of magnesium can help. Magnesium supplements can help alleviate or at least take the edge off of the pain from those issues. If you consume heavy amounts of alcohol, it can lower your levels of magnesium. Foods that are high in this, to get it back in your system, are sunflower and pumpkin seeds. OnA magnesium deficiency can also cause chronic inflammatory buildups, so it’s best that you ensure you have the proper amount of magnesium to keep the inflammation down.

One Shot to Get It Right

You have only one life to live, and the average person today lives to be 78 years old. Time has a way of passing by quickly, especially when we have hectic schedules taking up hours every day. However, it’s important not to lose sight of the fact that what you decide to do today will make a difference in your quality of life in the future. Whether you have long suffered with chronic pain or have just began to notice minor aches and pains at the end of the day, you deserve to be comfortable and able to maintain comfort and relaxation. By following these helpful tips, you can be on your way to taking full advantage of your one shot to get life right and enjoy many pain-free years to come using natural remedies.

Working on improving spinal health for people by teaching them the proper postures in both seating and standing to avoid back pains and complications on the spinal cord. I help disseminate news and information about spinal health and posture technologies through social media and our website.

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